Federal Grants will Increase Forest Sustainability, Promote Innovation, and Bolster Local Economies
West Biofuels can transform California's forest waste into clean, renewable energy that powers communities and reduces wildfire risk.”— Kristen Decker, Chief Financial Officer of West BiofuelsWOODLAND, CALIFORNIA, USA, July 24, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Today, West Biofuels, LLC (“West Biofuels”) announced $1.5 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase the sustainable use of forest products while promoting innovation and bolstering local economies. The Woodland, Calif.-based company engineers, procures, and constructs (EPC) and operates and maintains biomass facilities. Approximately $1.2 million in funding from the Community Wood Energy Grant Program was awarded to their latest project, the Hat Creek Bioenergy Facility (Burney, Calif.), which is expected to be operational in the spring of 2024. The federal progrm funds the nstallation of thermally led community wood energy systems or the building of innovative wood product manufacturing facilities. The funding also included $300,000 from the Wood Innovation Grant Program for a planned bioenergy facility in Mariposa, Calif. The federal program expands wood energy markets and traditional wood utilization projects and promotes utilizing wood as a construction material in commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings. The bioenergy facilities in Burney and Mariposa are each expected to produce three megawatts of clean power per year by converting forest organic byproducts – once considered waste – into renewable electricity, heat, and biochar. Specifically, the Hat Creek Bioenergy Facility is estimated to source approximately 30,000 bone dry tons of forest waste per year, which would fill approximately 171 Olympic-sized swimming pools. “We appreciate the federal government's recognition and investment,” said Kristen Dcker, Chief Financial Offcer of West Biofuels. “With their support, West Biofuels can transform California's forest waste into clean, renewable energy that powers communities and reduces wildfire risk. Our innovative bioenergy facilities also help stimulate rural economic growth and advance California’s ambitious climate goals, so we’re proud to help solve some of our state’s most pressing challenges.” Today’s news follows similar grant awards to West Biofuels from the California Energy Commission, including: • $3 million for producing pipeline-grade renewable natural gas and value-added chemicals from forest biomass residue. This grant was completed, and West Biofuels’ demonstration will support commercial-scale fuel production projects and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. (FRD-17-005) • $2 million for demonstrating a robust, efficient, and environmentally sound Biomass Combined Heat and Power (BCHP) system for commercial deployment n the agricultural processing sectr in California. This grant is in progress, and West Biofuels is currently testing the pilot system with various agricultural feedstocks. (PIR-11-008)• $1 million for developing renewable fuel ethanol and value-added chemicals from woody biomass residue. This grant was completed, and West Biofuels demonstrated that substituting out-of-state corn ethanol for in-state biomass is over four times less carbon-intensive. (ARV-15-017)• $1 million for renewable natural gas production from woody biomass via gasification and fluidized-bed methanation. The pilot project grant was completed, and the University of California, San Diego, and West Biofuels confirmed that benefits on a commercial scale would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel imports, and costs associated with methanation, syngas cooling and cleaning, and installed facility capital. Other benefits included increased energy security, job creation, technology development, and forest managemen support. (PIR-14-023) # # # WestBiofuels, LLC, engineers, procures, and constructs (EPC), as well as operates and maintains biomass facilities that create renewable energy, support rural economic growth, reduce the risk of wildfires, and advance California’s climate goals. Since 2007, they have been pioneers in the bioenergy industry with cutting-edge research and development. In 2017, they expanded operations to transform organic byproducts into valuable renewable energy that powers California communities. Their Woodland Research and Development Center is a top-tier biomass technology facility in North America that partners with global experts to further research and develop high-value fuels and chemicals. Discover more at WestBiofuels.com and connect on LinkedIn.Laura Braden
MKTNG
+1 916-616-0707
laura@mktng.co
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West Biofuels Secures $1.5 Million to DevelopBioenergy Facilities
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July 24, 2023, 20:40 GMT
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